Happy Wars (Video Game Review)

Happy Wars is an all new, free-to-play Xbox LIVE Arcade title from developer Toylogic that allows up to 30 players to compete in massive online battles against one another in a single match. The game's premise is simple--the light and dark kingdoms are feuding over the silliest of reasons, and each kingdom's most powerful fighters have be summoned to the happiest war you will ever witness. The game is silly and often pokes fun at itself with a playful tone that is easily compared with other games such as A World of Keflings. The game is a whole lot of fun, and the entire game is available for free ensuring there will always be a strong community ready to play the game whenever you're ready to start up another match.

The object of each match in Happy Wars is to take down the opposing team's tower located in the middle of their castle while defending your own. There will be neutral towers spread across the game's 6 maps that can be captured and used to allow your teammates to spawn closer to the enemy stronghold. Each team will consist of up to 15 separate players, even though there are only currently three classes in the game--warrior, mage and cleric. Luckily, Happy Wars comes packed with plenty of customization options to help make your character unique unto itself, and there are plenty of rare and bizarre items to outfit your character with to increase statistics and give them a brand new look. Each character will also be armed with three powerful attacks that fit their class well such as a fireball spell for the mage or a resurrection spell for the cleric. Teammates can also combine their power to unleash devastating attacks such as summoning a giant tornado or unleashing a volley of arrows upon a target. Experimenting with the game's many options is fun and will help you come up with the perfect strategy to defeat your opponents.

Happy Wars is a great looking game, even if it is a bit cartoony for some gamers' tastes. Animations are crisp and smooth, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a cuter game on any system. This charm extends into Happy Wars' fun soundtrack and humorous dialect. One of the biggest concerns facing gamers ready to try out Happy Wars will be how the massive 30 player matches hold up over Xbox LIVE, but matches have so far been relatively lag free and should look to stay that way as more players come online to enjoy this great new title. Happy Wars also contains a single player campaign that will introduce you to the game's mechanics and prepare you for the game's MOBA inspired matches.

If Happy Wars was a normal Xbox LIVE Arcade title, it would be a bargain at 1200 Microsoft Points, but as it stands, Microsoft is finally being more than generous with its loyal customers by offering a great new title for all to enjoy free of charge. Happy Wars is a great game that is sure to be one of the most played titles over Xbox LIVE for weeks to come and not just because it is free. The game packs plenty of content, and its addictive online matches will have you and your friends clamoring for "just one more match" until the late hours of the night. Happy Wars is one of the best downloadable titles of the year, and it will hopefully be the first of many titles available free-to-play on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Now if only someone could talk Microsoft into bringing back 1 vs. 100...

Happy Wars is now available free to play exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Happy Wars is rated T by the ESRB for Blood & Violence. For more information on the game, check out the official Happy Wars website.

Game Features:

Online Multiplayer 1-30

Tons of Customization Options

3 Classes: Warrior, Mage & Cleric

DLC Support

Achievement Support

Game Information:
Developer: Toylogic
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade
Release Date: October 12, 2012

Score: 8.5 out of 10